I received a call from the house supervisor that a patient in the ED was dropped off by ambulance and had no family at this time. The patient was homeless, with two kids, 11 and 4. The patient (the kid's mom) needed an insulin drip, and she is semi-conscious and unable to make decisions at this time. The patient was transferred to MICU with kids and no family or friends to contact. Due to the critical need for hyperglycemia management and the pending CPS case, we admitted the patient to MICU. We agreed with the house supervisor's plan that the kids could stay in the room. PCT watched kids until they fell asleep.
The next dsy, the kids were awake, and mom was still asleep. They finished the snacks they came with. The kids started asking for food. Bedside nurse Ana Santos asked the kids if they know any family members in Houston. The 11-year kid replied they had no family in Houston, and he is not going to school. The other kid was an autistic child. The charge nurse and bedside nurse Ana told OA they needed some food for the kids. Ana Santos not only took care of the patient on insulin drip and other ICU care/management, but she also focused on the kids and attended to their needs. She educated them on hygiene, washing their hands, cleaned the room, made sure they did not sleep on the floor. Ana did not complain about the extra task of caring for the autistic child. She gave her a bath, changed her diapers, cleaned the room, and assisted to feed her breakfast and lunch. Ana did everything on her own without any complaint and she brought dinner for the kids before she left work. Ana attempted to call child protective service to ensure the kids would be safe, but no one answered. The House Supervisor called and opened up the case number the next morning. The kids remained in the room with no family contact.
I want to recognize Ana for the exceptional care and service she provided to this family when the mother was unable to make decisions. I am proud to express that Ana Santos followed and practiced Memorial Hermann patient experience standards for safe, caring, personalized, and efficient care for her patients. I am proud to be a part of the very supportive, caring, compassionate, and efficient nurses at MICU.